The Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) has started talks on free legal assistance to members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community.

IBP President Domingo Egon Q. Cayosa said the talks started last Wednesday, June 16, and both parties are expected to come up with a memorandum of agreement (MOA) which would be taken up by the IBP’s Board of Governors in its June 19 meeting.

Cayosa said the meeting was with the Rainbow SOGIE (sexual orientation, gender identity and expression) Rights Philippines (R-Rights).

“IBP has been bolder in getting into other areas where it used to shy away,” Cayosa was quoted as saying during last Wednesday’s meeting.

Cayosa stressed that the IBP should pursue matters of public interest affecting the justice sector where “IBP should be heard and be seen.”

He said that under the proposed MOA, “subject to the means and merit test, the IBP and its chapters shall extend free legal aid services to persons of diverse SOGIE referred by R-RIGHTS.”

“R-RIGHTS shall provide free training and materials to the IBP, its Chapters, and the designated legal practitioners so that the legal service/s may be effectively and efficiently rendered,” he said.

The proposed MOA will also push for “Round Table discussions with amenable Local Government Units through the League of Cities and League of Provinces, on provisions and passage of an Anti-Discrimination Ordinance.”

“R-RIGHTS are willing to provide their resources such as sample Ordinance and IRR provisions, talking points, and counterarguments,” Cayosa said.

He said: “The proposed MOA provides for IBP and R-Rights ‘to submit aligned position papers supportive of gender-progressive pieces of legislation in Congress, when needed. R-RIGHTS can undertake to facilitate the inclusion of the IBP in committee hearings.’”

The other provisions of the proposed MOA include the drafting of rules to protect the confidentiality of complainants as well as rules on dress code and grooming, he added.